Read Chapter 7
Read Chapter 8
I love to look at life through the rear view mirror, I can see God's provision in my life in place's that I had thought He was absent. It is amazing to have the privilege to look back and at times just gawk at what He has accomplished through pain, suffering, hardships, brokenness, miscommunication, bad choices, wrong direction and my own stubbornness.
AW Tozer once said, "The man or woman who is wholly or joyously surrendered to Christ can't make a wrong choice; any choice will be the right one.”
Let's think about that for a moment.
Many times we sit around trying to figure out the best solution that we can come up with in hopes of bringing us earthly success. Now, I am not saying that we should live by the seat of our pants all the time, but I am suggesting that we should live so close to our God that we allow Him to lead us into situation's that maybe make absolutely no sense at all.
Would you obey God even it you knew it could mean death?
What if you were walking down the street and like Philip, God told you to go and chase down that car and stay close, would you obey? (Could you imagine running up next to a car as they are driving down the road, keeping pace, they would think something is wrong or maybe something is so right with this picture.)
I know those questions may seem weird, but I believe that is what God desires for you and me; to live so close to Him that we need not question what He may ask but that we would just obey, understanding that there is a bigger picture.
We limit God based upon our own experiences with Him, but allow me to say that God is greater than your wildest imagination. His power is beyond all the powers of any superhero that we know. He is God. Creator.
As we read this book let's not read it with preconceived ideas, but let's read it as we have never read it before, allowing it to stir up our heart and our dreams.
Live with No Regrets!
Stephen was a courageous man. He spoke the truth, and even gave the Sanhedrin a scolding for what they had done with Jesus. He laid out the whole truth for them, and once again, their arrogance took over.
ReplyDeleteHow could they repent? They were supposed to be above reproach. They were supposed to be the ones who guided the people. But they knew it was slipping away, because they were confronted with the truth and they couldn't handle it. They did the same thing their forefathers did. In their arrogance they had Stephen stoned. Just days earlier, one of their own (Gamileal) told them that if it was of man the movement would end, but if it was God, it would be futile for them to fight it. They still couldn't see, or didn't want to, that God was in this thing that was spreading like wildfire.
We also get our first glimpse of Saul, later Paul, in these passages. He was obviously respected and had great responsibility.
We have the opportunity to do what Stephen did, almost daily. We can share the story of Jesus with someone, without regard for how it will make us look. With Stephen, it got him killed. With us, someone may look at us differently. So what? We're all different anyway.
JV
These men clearly had faith in God that is hard to imagine. To see the way that god can orchestrate all of these events so that at the right moment the right person would be walking next to you. Most times I think I am like the religious people of that day. I think I have it figured out and don't need to listen to God anymore, which is clearly so wrong. Reading about men of faith like this is so encouraging and inspiring. They were close to God and that was all it took.
ReplyDeleteOn Friday last week my prayer in the morning I asked God to give me an opportunity to aObey his word always, and what do you know. That afternoon one of the guys that I have known for a while and had done and shared some not so good things with five years ago was talking to his work mate and I overheard that they where sharing the word.His friend was the one talking so I was not so sure where the conversation was going.
ReplyDeleteIn an instant I felt the spirit telling me, here is what you asked for this morning and knowing my history with the guy I started walking away but suddenly turned back and offered to join the conversartion, and before you know it we prayed for one another and offered to share his word everytime we see each other.All this above for one reason, Gods promise gets me excited when I read the word and to know that I have a hope and purpose like I have never had before helps me day by day to obey his word as I grow in him and ask him to grant me the strengh to grow and the fear to realize how powerful and great he is.
Like the Ethiopian eunuch, scriptures are not always clear to all. There have been times when the same passage of scripture has had multiple meanings as it relates to my life. As we go through life, we are often seeking answers to a specific concern or clarity on choosing between options “we think” are best. We expect God’s response to come in a specific manner. When we don’t get the answer or clarity the way we thought, we wonder “how will I ever know?”
ReplyDeleteOver the past few weeks I’ve learned that everything we seek after is right before us if we just open ourselves to receive it. For me, “opening myself” is a very challenging task. The eunuch did not call to Philip for an explanation of the scripture. Philip was sent by the Lord to fulfill this task. However, the eunuch had to open himself up by explaining to Philip what he didn’t understand. In that action, Peter helped bring clarity. My prayer is that I and the people of God will see the answers to His prayers all around us. I pray that we have discerning sprits to identify the vessels God chooses to use to answers our prayers.
Stephen is an inspiration to all followers of Christ. He stands in the face of persecution and speaks the bold truth. He was more concerned with sharing the truth than how his audience would perceive him. Stephen passes away, the church is persecuted and EVERYWHERE they went they spread the Message. I believe that this points to a life that has been radically transformed by the power of God. I read this and see the amazing integrity of Stephen, but what stands out even greater than Stephen’s act is God.
ReplyDeleteAs Stephen goes through the history of Israel you continually see the commitment of the Creator to his people. All of this serves as an example to the church that He CAN be trusted. It can also be counted on that if you are going to do His will there will be trouble. Stephen tells the stories of men that God used powerfully and these great men also faced great opposition. At times it was from enemies and many other times it was from their own people. Nonetheless, they made a stand and a nation was changed. In obeying God we will face adversity and many times it will come from unexpected sources; regardless, He is faithful and if we take Him at His word we will be filled with boldness where once there was fear.
Again, we read about the disciples "doing." There wasn't thought put into it, just pure obedience. Sometimes it is hard doing what God asks of us, but when we do it, it motivates us and gets us pumped up to continue on. I get excited when I hear things like when Farai asked God to give him an opportunity to obey Him. And then there it was the same day God said to him , obey! How awesome!
ReplyDeleteLast night in our small group we had our last week of The Truth Project. It's amazing how it tied in so well to what we as a church are deciding to do. To no longer just read about stories of God but to experience them first hand. And the first step in experiencing God is to Do. Obey Him. We had a good night and we all came to the same conclusion. We need to do.
This is exactly what the disciples did and they saw HHHUUUUGGGGGGEEEE transformation. I'm ready! We're ready! Let's do and let God transform our community.